In the Oct. 14 SN: 2017’s scientists to watch, duel over a real-life Brienne of Tarth, the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, long-lasting spheres of color, watermelon snow’s downside, support for the Unruh effect, polite robots and more.

In the June 14 SN: Conscripting immune cells to fight disease, a spiral’s new twist, light from the far side of the Milky Way, diving for clues to American ancestry, and the straight dope on how marijuana affects the brain.